Over the past decade, Issue Media Group has expanded into over 21 regions in the U.S. and Canada with hundreds of paid journalists delivering online news that covers the revitalization of cities and regional economies. IMG’s co-founder, Paul Schutt, will discuss how gaps in local media coverage are creating opportunities for new models, and how this media shift is impacting how communities see themselves.

Paul Schutt is the co-founder of Issue Media Group, a Detroit based media company that publishes online magazines in over 21 regions in the U.S. and Canada including Detroit, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and others. IMG publications focus on growth, investment and the remarkable people leading communities into the new economy.

In 2004, Paul sold the technology company he co-founded and led for 10 years, The Collective. The Collective provided technology solutions for government, higher education, healthcare and corporate clients such as Coca-Cola, U.S. Open, the Superbowl, General Motors, Ford Motor Company and the State of Michigan.

Mr. Schutt also co-founded the rapidly growing technology firm, Easy2 Technologies in 1999. Easy2 provides rich retail solutions to the worlds largest retailers and manufacturers in home improvement, consumer electronics, juvenile products, sporting goods, and housewares including Lowes, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target and others. Easy2 was sold to Answers.com in August of 2013.

Paul serves on private and public boards including the board of trustees of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Washtenaw Community College Foundation and Summers-Knoll School. Paul received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Ferris State University.